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Dispatches from ProSweets 2012

Everyone's talking about stevia at ProSweets - director

The sweetener stevia is the hot topic of this year’s show following its approval as a novel food in the EU, according to the show organiser.

Europe must move to stamp-out cocoa child labour, MEPs tell Commission

A committee of MEPs is calling on the European Commission (EC) to consider legislating against use of child labour in cocoa plantations that fuel the EU's demand for chocolate, while the world's largest food firm Nestle has outlined its measures to safeguard against the problem.

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Belgian food industry mimics Dutch 2015 palm oil pledge

All palm oil designated for the Belgian market will be produced based on the sustainability criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) by 2015, claims a new pledge from the food sector in that country.

Dispatches from ProSweets 2012

ProSweets 2012: the confectionery show in pictures

Have a look at the first pictures from the floor of confectionery industry trade show ProSweets in Cologne, Germany.

Dispatches from ProSweets 2012

Preview: ConfectioneryNews brings you ProSweets 2012

The confectionery trade fair ProSweets opened its doors for the fifth time on Sunday at the exhibition centre in Cologne, Germany and ConfectioneryNews.com is on the show floor keeping you updated on the latest industry news.

Mars probed by ad watchdog after footballer and glamour model Twitter endorsement

Mars has become the subject of an investigation by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority following a campaign involving footballer Rio Ferdinand and model Katie Price to endorse its Snickers bar using social media site Twitter.

Mars study finds cardiovascular pros from cocoa flavanols are independent of antioxidants

Cardiovascular benefits from cocoa flavanols are independent of any antioxidant properties, according to a study by Mars.

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BASF & Teck join forces on zinc fortification and supplementation solutions

BASF (Germany) and Teck Resources Limited (Canada) have signed a three year agreement to jointly develop innovative and affordable zinc fortification and supplementation solutions.

Bemis wields the knife as packaging demand and earnings fall

Soaring resin prices, falling demand in sectors such as confectionery, along with almost US$40m costs related to plant closures and job cuts saw fourth quarter operating profits in flexible packaging slump by 37% at the end of what Bemis called a “challenging” year for the company.

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Sweet imitating decorative stones hit rocks over choking risk

The European Commission has ordered a manufacturer of decorative stones to withdraw some of its products over fears they present choking risks because they look too similar to sweets.

Market opportunities in medicated confectionery – Leatherhead

Medicated confectionery such as cough and throat sweets has enjoyed an upsurge in recent months and there is scope for new products to enter the category, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

Zetar establishes French subsidiary

UK-based confectionery and snacks firm Zetar has established a French subsidiary to leverage its position in continental Europe.

Sensient opens new color and flavor factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Wisconsin-based colors, flavors and fragrances giant Sensient Technologies has signaled its ambitions in the fast-growing Brazilian food market with the opening of a new color and flavor complex in Jundiaí, Sao Paulo.

Cocoa may prevent intestinal disease: Rat study

Eating cocoa could help to prevent intestinal disease and complaints linked to oxidative stress, including colon cancer caused by chemical substances, suggests new research in rats.

Mexican sugar shortage could lead to price hike unless USDA acts – analyst

Global sugar prices could rise following a shortage in Mexican production unless the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows additional imports, according to the Jenkins Sugar Group.

10 key trends for chocolate products

Ethically responsible companies catering to health-conscious consumers with clean-label premium products are likeliest to win, according to a market analyst.

PRODULCE head looking for healthy innovation

The Spanish confectionery sector must innovate on a health awareness platform, according to the head of the recently formed national confectionery association.

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Barry Callebaut and Unilever in global cocoa partnership

Cocoa giant, Barry Callebaut will become a first choice source of cocoa and chocolate for ice cream manufacturer Unilever under a new long-term global partnership.

Something is rotten in the state of Indian gelatine controls, FVO audit suggests

The European Commission (EC) has released a scathing audit report on the Indian gelatine industry, and said its visit late last year revealed“very little progress" since the last mission in 2008 regarding improving substandard legislative and safety controls for exports.

Judge upholds USDA requirement for raw almond pasteurization

A federal judge has again upheld a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that US raw almonds must be pasteurized in order to mitigate risk of salmonella, after organic almond growers challenged the rule.

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Asian orders drive growth for Bühler

Food technology group Bühler has announced 12.5% growth in sales for 2011 due to increased orders from new customers in Asia.

Tangerine eyes new markets while large chew bars launched in UK

UK-based Tangerine Confectionery has added large chew bars to its Barratt Sweets brand in the UK market while it considers Scandinavia for other brand product launches planned for Spring.

Sugar keeps things sweet for ABF

Exceptional sales growth for sugar will fuel expansion at Associated British Foods (ABF), say food industry analysts, even if Q1 continued to highlight struggles for the food ingredients side of the business.

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European Cocoa Association becomes Primary Food Processors member

The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has joined the association of Primary Food Processors (PFP).

Sugar segment helps Südzucker’s profits soar

Ingredients firm Südzucker has seen a sharp increase in its operating profit for the third quarter (Q3) propelled by gains in its sugar segment.

Kraft to cut 1,600 jobs in preparation for company split

Kraft Foods has said it will cut about 1,600 jobs from its US and Canadian workforce over the next 12 months, as it prepares to split into two separate companies.

Barry Callebaut growth dented by European shortfall

A downturn in sales throughout Western Europe has seen Barry Callebaut fail to meet its projected growth for the first quarter. However the Swiss chocolate supplier said it is still outperforming the market.

Callebaut sees Mexican potential with Grupo Bimbo supply deal

Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has today announced the signing of a long-term supply agreement with Latin American bakery firm Grupo Bimbo.

DS Smith to buy SCA’s packaging ops for €1.7bn

DS Smith said its deal to acquire the vast majority of SCA’s packaging operations for €1.7bn (£1.4bn) will “transform” the company and make it a pan-European giant.

Ethical claims create health halos, study suggests

Ethical production claims such as ‘fair trade’ may influence how consumers perceive calorie content, according to new research published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.

Lindt sales behind expectations with Nestle takeover possible – analyst

Swiss chocolatier Lindt has recorded sales below market expectations and could be subject to a takeover from Nestle, according to an analyst from Kepler Capital Markets.

New Spanish confectionery association formed: PRODULCE

Five segments of the Spanish sweets market have come together to form the new Spanish Confectionery Association (PRODULCE).

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Ferrero Group appoints new md

Confectionery firm Ferrero Group has appointed Pieraldo Oldano as the new md of Ferrero UK & Ireland.

Fazer to enter Asia with Angry Birds partnership

Finnish firm Fazer has announced a strategic partnership with media company Rovio Entertainment to make Angry Birds branded confectionery as it aims to grow in international markets.

Strong Q1-Q3 for Agrana driven by sugar and starch segments

Favourable market trends and successful business strategies have driven strong profits in Agrana’s sugar and starch segments, creating 20.2% growth for the first three quarters of 2011|12, the CEO said.

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Thorntons sales fall below expectations over festive period

UK chocolate firm Thorntons has announced that its second quarter sales had fallen below expectations in a trading update issued today.

Thorntons fined over broken finger

UK chocolatier Thorntons has been fined £20,000 after a worker broke her finger while operating a wrapping machine that was improperly guarded.

Mars France expands M&M production capacity with €40m investment

Mars Chocolat France has announced plans for a multimillion investment in its Haguenau plant that will boost the site’s production capacity by 20%.

Chr. Hansen results beat expectations, colours providing improved ROI

Chr. Hansen’s first quarter results for financial year 2011/12 are a notch stronger than analysts had expected.

Callebaut eyes European leadership for nut products with La Morella acquisition

Barry Callebaut has acquired a 100% stake in Spanish company La Morella Nuts for an undisclosed sum as it aims to be the European leader for nut products.

Chocolate giant submits cocoa flavanol-blood health claim to EFSA

Barry Callebaut has submitted an article 13.5 health claim dossier to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) linking cocoa flavanols and healthy blood flow.

Tangerine Confectionery acquires Smith Kendon brands

UK-based Tangerine Confectionery has added two Smith Kendon brands to its portfolio as it continues to expand through brand acquisitions.

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Sales ban lathered on chocolate doppelganger

The European Commission has ordered a sales ban on a bar of soap deemed to be too similar to a chocolate bar.

Western Parsley has antioxidant potential in fatty foods – study

The culinary herb western parsley (WP) can boost antioxidant activity in fatty foods and improve stabilisation over a long storage period, according to a study by Japanese researchers.

External influences likely to keep sugar prices high, says USDA

World sugar prices are likely to stay high in 2012 due to external factors such as government policies, oil prices and instability in the Eurozone, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Probiotic gum beats placebo for bad breath: Study

Lactobacillus reuteri-containing gum can significantly reduce halitosis, Danish researchers have found, although the mechanism of action remains a mystery.

Nestle UK moves HQ from Croydon to Gatwick

Nestle UK has announced today that it is to move its head offices from Croydon to a site near Gatwick by the end of 2012.

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Cadbury’s Somerdale plant to become housing development – reports

A Cadbury production site in the UK that was controversially closed following Kraft’s 2010 takeover has been sold to a developer, according to reports.

Cadbury invests £6m on shelf ready and resealable packaging

Cadbury UK has announced that it will introduce shelf ready packaging to make its chocolate bars stand upright in stores to better attract customers’ attention in a £6m (€7.2m) scheme.

Revolymer seeks collaborators as Rev7 degradable gum base gets EU novel foods approval

UK-based polymer firm Revolymer has gained novel foods approval in the EU for a gum base that degrades faster than conventional bases and is seeking commercial partners to launch chewing gum products in the EU.

Gelatine giant Rousselot grows with North American acquisition

The world’s foremost supplier of gelatine to the confectionery industry Rousselot has acquired North American gelatine manufacturer Eastman Gel.

Jim’ll Fix it star wows Nestlé with new Treasure bar

Confectionery giant Nestlé has confirmed that a new chocolate bar, designed by a talented youngster as part of a Jim’ll Fix It Christmas special, could hit UK stores this year.

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Undeclared sulphites prompt Baraka Apricot Candy recall

US based UBC Food Distributors has recalled 400g cellophane wrapped, product of Lebanon Baraka Apricot Candies after they were found to contain undeclared sulphites as preservatives.

Natural flavours ‘identified in nature’ to have major industry impact – report

EC regulations implemented last year that require natural flavouring substances to be identical to something found in nature will greatly impact the industry, according to a report assessing the new regulation.

Long term studies needed before dark chocolate health link established – study

The flavonoid epicatechin that is present in dark chocolate could be used to treat human diseases, but studies to date have been too small and longer controlled tests are required, according to a study.

Sugar beet extract may stabilise natural blues: Study

Pectin isolated from sugar beet could boost industry use of natural blue colours by improving the formation and stability of blue hues from anthocyanins, say researchers.